Nursing nipple



20, 1 J. c. m 2,803,251

NURSING NIPPLE Filed Dec. 29, 1955 INVENTOR. JAMES .C'. WHITE ATTORNEYThis invention relates to a new and improved nursing nipple which isadapted for use on baby bottles of conventional construction used inbaby feeding.

Nursing nipples of conventional construction now commercially availablerequire strong sucking by an infant to produce an adequate and even flowof fluid therefrom. However, in order to provide continued even flow,the infant must overcome a vacuum comprising the air space left at theinverted bottom of the bottle during feeding. This is not alwayspossible to overcome and in most cases uneven feeding results whensufficient liquid is removed to form a vacuum opposing the feed flow.Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide anursing nipple which is adapted for use on conventional baby feedingbottles, and the like, and which will provide an even flow of the liquidfrom the bottle, whereby, the infant will not draw air into its mouthalong with the liquid thus eliminating the need for burping the infantduring and after feeding.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel nursing nippleconstructed so that the infant forces the liquid out of the nippleinstead of sucking it out.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a nursing nipplewhich is provided with means for engagement with a baby feeding bottle;an aperture in said nipple through which liquid will flow from thebottle when it is inverted and into the nipple; an outlet hole in theend of the nipple which is held in the infants mouth; and a movablediaphragm valve which is adapted to be moved into a closing engagementwith said aperture when the infant applies pressure to the outer end ofthe nipple, whereby, the liquid in the nipple will be trapped and willbe forced out of said hole into the infants mouth, and, when the infantopens his jaws to again apply pressure, the valve will be moved awayfrom said aperture to permit more liquid to enter the nipple by gravityand be ready for the pressure stroke by the infants jaws.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a combination of ababy feeding bottle and a nursing nipple which is made from a flexiblematerial, such as a suitable rubber or the like, and which is arrangedand constructed so as to trap a predetermined amount of liquid in thenipple and force said amount of liquid out of the nipple into theinfants mouth when the infant applies pressure to the nipple with hisjaws.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a novel nursingnipple of the character herein described which is simple and compact inconstruction, economical of manufacture, efficient in operation, andeasilysterilized, and which provides an even, and air-free, flow ofliquid therefrom.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will beapparent from the following detailed description and appended claims,reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthespeci- 2,893,251 Patented Aug. 20, 1957 ice fication wherein likereference numerals designate corresponding parts of the several views.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a bottle for babyfeeding, and which is provided with a nursing nipple made in accordancewith the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the structure illustrated inFig. 1, taken along the line 22 thereof;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1, and showing the nipple ofFig. 1 in a compressed condition for forcing the liquid therefrom;

Fig. 4 is an elevational sectional view of a second embodiment of theinvention;

Fig. 5 is an elevational sectional view of a third embodiment of theinvention;

Fig. 6 is an elevational sectional view of a modified part for theembodiment of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an elevational sectional view of a fourth embodiment of theinvention;

Fig. 8 is an elevational sectional view of the fourth embodiment of theinvention; but being slightly modified; and,

Fig. 9 is an elevational sectional view of a fifth embodiment of theinvention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is shown by way ofillustration a baby bottle 10 which is in the inverted position forfeeding. The reference numeral 12 represents a fluid, as milk, and theair-space above the milk is numbered 13. The bottle 10 i provided with anarrowed neck portion 14 which is adapted to seat the flange or lip 15of a nursing nipple 16 made in accordance with the principles of theinvention. A usual retaining ring 17 is threadably mounted on the outersurface of the neck portion 14 and is provided with an inwardly extendedflange 18 which overlies the lip 15 of the nipple and detachably securesit in place on the top surface of the neck portion 14.

Integral with the lip 15 is a substantially conically shaped month end19 of the nipple, which is hollow and flexible, and which is enclosed atthe lower end thereof with a bottom wall 20 provided with a centralaperture 21 communicating with the bottle 10. The bottom wall 20 isprovided with a plurality of upwardly extending projections or pivots 22on which is carried a check valve 23. The check valve 23 is formed froma suitable flexible material, as rubber, and is circular in shape andthinner in the center than near the edges. The check valve 23 is alsoprovided with apertures 24 through the outer edges to permit the flow ofliquid therethrough, and with a pair of downwardly extending guidefingers 25 which extend into the aperture 21 in the bottom wall of thenipple. The check valve 23 is further provided with a plurality ofintegral upwardly extending elongated arms 26 which extend upwardlyinside the nipple and which have the upper end thereof abutting the stopmembers 27 which are integral with the walls of the nipple. The upperbulbous mouth end 23 of the nipple is provided with an opening 29. Airis permitted, shown at 30, to enter the bottle in relatively smallamounts as the contents of the bottle is exhausted. As shown in Fig. 1,in a relaxed position, the check valve 23 is disposed away from theaperture 21 so as to permit the liquid 12 to flow around and through thevalve in to the nipple.

In use, the bottle 10 would be tipped to the angle shown in Fig. 1, andliquid would be permitted to flow by gravity into the nipple 16. Whenthe infant applies pressure to the bulbous end 23 of the nipple, it willbe forced inwardly, as shown at 31 in Fig. 3. The elon- 3 gated flexiblearms 26 will be bent inwardly as shown at 32, in Fig. 3, and, the checkvalves 23 will be bent downwardly and pivoted around the pivots 22. Theguide fingers 25 will move into the aperture ;21, and, the bottom of thevalve will be'forced againstthe top of the aperture 21 thereby trappingthe liquid in 'the nipple. Further pressure on the nipple forces theliquid in the nipple out of the opening 29 and into the mouth of theinfant. When the infant releases thepressure on the nipple the valve 23will spring away from the aperture 21 thus permitting the nipple to beagain filled with liquid and the aforegoing is then repeated. In orderto clean the nipple, the valve 23 and its arms 26 may be removed throughthe aperture 21 since all the parts of the nipple are flexible and canbe pulled through this aperture, and re-inserted again after cleaning.

A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 4 and isadapted to be used on the bottle 10 and to be secured thereon in thesame manner. This embodiment comprises an annular flange or lip 33 whichis integral with a substantially conically shaped hollow nipple 34. Thenipple 34 is flexible and has a bulbous top 35 with an opening 36. Thelower inside surface of the nipple is provided with an annular groove 37in which is releasably held a disk 38 having a central aperture 39. Thedisk 38 is provided with integral upwardly extending legs 40 which carryan integrally formed circular check valve 41 which is disposed over theaperture 39 and is normally separated therefrom. The valve 41 isprovided with a plurality of elongated arms 43 extending upwardly fromthe upper side thereof and which abut an annular shoulder 44 formed onthe inner surface of the nipple. The entire nipple and valve parts areall flexible.

In use, the nipple of Fig. 4 is mounted on a bottle as like the firstembodiment and when the bottle is inverted liquid will flow into thenipple through the aperture 39. When the infant applies pressure on theside of the bulbous portion 35, as indicated at 45, the valve 41 will beforced downwardly into engagement with the upper side of the aperture39, as shown in Fig. 4. The liquid trapped in the nipple will then beforced out of the opening 36 into the mouth of the infant. When theinfant releases the pressure on the nipple, the valves will be flexedupwardly because the pressure will have been released from the arms 43,and the cycle will start over again. The nipple may be thoroughlycleaned by merely removing the disk 38 from the groove 37.

Fig. 6 shows a modified disk and valve structure which may be used inthe embodiment of Fig. 5. The reference numeral 46 represents a disksimilar to that shown in Fig. 5, and which is provided with an aperture47 on which is mounted an integrally formed, concavely shaped downwardlycheck valve 48. The valve 48 is mounted on the disk by means of aplurality of integral arms 49. The convex outer surface of the valve ofFig. 6 will hold its shape and aid in the retraction of the valve whenthe pressure is released from the nipple.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. and is adapted tobe used on the bottle and to be secured thereon in the same manner asthe embodiment of Fig. 1. This embodiment comprises an annular flange orlip 50 from which extends upwardly an integral annular pyramidal hollowportion 51 which carries an integral cylindrical neck portion 52. Theneck portion 52 has the bulbous portion 53 integral with the upper endthereof. An aperture 54 is formed in the bulbous portion 53. An annulargroove 55 is formed in the inner surface of the portion 51 and isadapted to releasably retain a disk 56 which has an aperture 57therethrough. A check valve 58 is disposed over the aperture 57 in aspaced relation thereto and is integrally mounted on the disk 56 bymeans of the arms 59. integrally formed on the inner surface of theneck- 52'is a plurality of downwardly extending arms 60 which bear onthe upper surface of the valve 58. All of the parts of the nipple aremade from a flexible material.

In use, when an infant exerts pressure on the bulbous portion 53, thearms 60 will be moved downwardly and will force the valve 58 into aclosing engagement with the upper surface of the aperture 57, as shownby the dotted lines 61. When the pressure is released, the valve 58 willbe flexed upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 5 and more liquid willthen be permitted to flow into the nipple. In order to clean the nipple,the disk 56 is removable from the groove 55.

A fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 7, and it isadapted to be used on the bottle 10 and to be secured thereon in thesame manner. This embodiment comprises an annular flange or lip 62 fromwhich extends upwardly an inwardly projecting wall portion 63 whichcarries on its upper end the cylindrical neck portion 64. The nipple isprovided with the usual top bulbous portion 65 and an opening 66. Formedintegral with the inner surface of the bulbous portion 65 is a pluralityof downwardly extending arms 67 which carry on the lower ends thereof anannular disk check valve 68 which is adapted to engage the valve seat 69on the inner surface of the nipple portion 63.

In use, the nipple of Fig. 7 is mounted on the bottle 10 and when thebottle is inverted liquid will flow into the nipple around the valve 68.When the infant applies pressure to the bulbous portion 65 in the usualmanner the arms 67 will be moved to the dotted position indicated by thenumeral 70 and the valve 68 will be brought up into a sealing engagementwith the valve seat 69 as at 71. Continued pressure forces the liquidtrapped in the nipple to be moved out of the nipple and into the infantsmouth. When the pressure is released by the infant, the valve 68 willagain move down to the position shown in Fig. 7, and the cycle will berepeated.

A variation of the embodiment of Fig. 7 is shown in Fig. 8 and comprisesan annular lip 72 which is integral with an upwardly and inwardlyextending portion 73 which is integral with a neck portion 74. The usualbulbous portion 75 is formed on the neck portion 74 and has an number ofopenings 76. A plurality of elongated arms 77 are formed integral withthe inner surface of the bulbous portion 75 and carry an annular valve78 which is adapted to be seated against the valve seat 79. The nippleof Fig. 8 functions the same as the nipple of Fig. 7, but the lower endsof the arms 77 are curved, as at 80 to provide for extra expansion ofthe arm after the valve is closed and so provide further closingpressure to the valve 78.

A fifth embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 9 and is adapted tobe used on the bottle 10 and to be secured thereon in the same manner.This embodiment comprises an annular flange or lip 81 which has formedon its upper edge an inwardly extending flat annular portion 82 whichcarries a neck portion 83 adapted to form a valve seat 84 from the innersurface thereof. The neck portion 83 carries an outwardly extendingportion 85 which in turn joins with a second inwardly extending neckportion 850. The usual bulbous portion 86 is formed on the neck portion85a and has a plurality of openings 87. A downwardly extending arm 88 isformed on the inner surface of the bulbous portion 86 and carries aplurality of bent pressure arms as 89 which are joined at their lowerends and are integral with a check valve 90.

In use, the nipple of Fig. 9 would be mounted on the bottle 10 and whenthe bottle 10 is inverted the fluid would flow by gravity into thenipple and around the valve 90 which is normally in the position shownin solid in Fig. -9. When the infant applies pressure on the bulbousportion 86 the neck 85a will create an inward pressure on the bent legs89 and tend to straighten them out, thereby causing the legs 89 to beelongated and to move the valve 90 to the dotted position 91 and into asealing engagement with the valve seat 84. Continued pressure by theinfant on the bulbous portion 86 forces the liquid trapped in the nippleout the openings 87 and into the infants mouth. When the pressure isreleased, the valve 90 will be moved upwardly and liquid will againenter the nipple through the aperture 84.

It will be understood, that the embodiments illustrated are entirelyformed from flexible materials, such as rubber or the like, and whichmay be sterilized.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of theinvention herein disclosed are well adapted and calculated to fulfillthe objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention issusceptible to modification, variation and change without departing fromthe proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A nursing nipple of the class described, comprising: means forengagement with a baby feeding bottle; an aperture in said nipplethrough which liquid will flow from the bottle when the bottle isinverted, and into the nipple; an outlet opening in the outer end of thenipple which is held in an infants mouth while nursing; a plurality offlexible arms disposed entirely within said nipple; a movable valve insaid nipple responsive to pressure exerted thereon by said arms whichare operable by the pressure exerted on the nipple by the mouth of aninfant so as to move said valve into a closing engagement with saidaperture when the infant applies pressure thereto, whereby, the liquidin the nipple will be trapped and continued pressure by the infant willforce the liquid so trapped out of said opening and into the infantsmouth; said nipple being provided with a lower wall wherein saidaperture is formed; said bottom wall being releasably retained in anannular groove on the lower inner surface of the nipple; and, said valvebeing integrally formed with said wall, but being normally spacedtherefrom.

2. The nursing nipple as defined in claim 1, wherein: said arms areintegrally formed on the inner surface of the nipple and operativelyengage the valve on the upper side thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,597,483 Head May 20, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 272,349 Germany Oct. 3, 1913275,456 Germany June 17, 1914

